Zoo Trip with Grandma

While my mom was here visiting, we took the girls to the zoo. We got there about 10:30 and planned to see the bird show. But I guess we spent a little too long looking at the giraffes and a few other animals because we arrived to the bird show at 11:02 and the show was already closed. We watched for a few minutes from outside, but the girls were quite disappointed to miss it.

However, it worked out okay. We saw a few other animals and then headed toward the new Rocky Shores exhibit. The river otters were really active and we enjoyed watching them. Then we went to sit down by the seals and eat a snack. We found out that a seal training show was about to start, and so we got to learn about the seals and sea lions and watch them be trained. They explained how they got the seals to do tricks such as spin around and climb up on the rocks (they use their whistles and voices as well as fish to give positive reinforcement. They ignore any "mistakes" the seal makes and just reinforce the good things they do.) They also explained why (they watch them closely and also feel their bodies to check for any injuries or problems. They also need them to follow directions so that they will respond if they need them to seen by a vet or to get them out of the enclosure if something fell into the water that could hurt them.)

The polar bear was also very active while we were there. We enjoyed watching it swim and splash and show off.

It was a hot day, so we didn't last long. But we enjoyed spending quality time with Grandma.
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On the day that my mom and Mike were leaving to return to AZ, we went to my Aunt Elaine and Uncle Phil's home. My grandpa was there too. We spent some time visiting with them and took some photos.

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Grandma and Grandpa gave each girl $1 when they were leaving. The girls begged me to take them to the dollar store after we took Grandpa and Grandma to the airport. They each got to pick out one item. Michelle got a little set that has a sheriff badge, handcuffs, glasses and a few other items. Ella got silly string which, of course, was gone in a few minutes, but which had her giggling (and then yelling when someone grabbed it and sprayed it in HER hair!). Gabby got silly putty. They loved their toys.

Temple Square

While Michelle and Ella were on the lake, Gabby and I went with my mom and stepdad to Temple Square. Gabby loved seeing and smelling all of the flowers. She also liked seeing the Christus, although she did not want her picture taken with it. I really enjoyed going downstairs in the Visitors Center. They have some displays about service and humanitarian efforts, with many quotes and videos. I don't know if I've ever seen this display before, and it really touched me.

We had a nice time walking around Temple Square. My stepdad is very friendly and outgoing and so he stopped and talked to several sister missionaries, including one from Mongolia. Gabby enjoyed touching the cool water in the reflection pool. I appreciated the spirit that is there.

Parenting

Today was a rough day. I love summertime. I love being home with my children and having a break from working so hard. I love planning lots of outings and going lots of places. I love having extra time to read. But there are days, like today, where it is hard. Where my children spend a lot of time arguing with each other and with me. Days when Gabby empties literally 30 different pieces of clothing onto the floor to find something to wear to church and refuses every outfit I suggest. I could force her to wear what I want her to wear, but I believe in picking my battles and for the most part, clothing isn't one of them. As long as what she is wearing is clean, fits, matches (usually) and is appropriate for the activity (in this case church) then she can wear it. (We are now going through all of her clothes and I'm getting rid of anything she doesn't like to wear or that doesn't fit well. As the youngest of 3 girls, she has a lot of clothes...almost all hand-me-downs, and many outfits that I think are very cute but that she refuses to wear. So we're getting rid of anything she doesn't like. No point in keeping it and having it clutter up her drawers and room. I generally go through clothes twice a year at the change of seasons and switch them out and give away things we don't need. But she has too many and so I'm doing it now and will do it again around October.)

I know that my attitude and response to my children's bickering and frustrating quirks determines to a large degree how the day will go. And I haven't handled it well today. I also know that my children need to get enough sleep. I push bedtime later in the summer, probably shouldn't, but I do. But I have noticed that on nights when they are getting ready for bed by 8:30 or so and in bed by nine, I am able to follow our normal bedtime routine. They go to bed quickly and fairly easily and things are usually pretty peaceful. But on nights, like tonight, when I let them stay up later and we're not getting ready for bed until 9:30 and in bed by 10, then things fall apart. I need to be consistent about bedtime in the summer, except on rare occasions. So I'm committing to that. I have read some research about sleep. Even a little bit of sleep deprivation leads to more behavior problems, less ability to concentrate, lower brain functioning and more emotional reactions in children (and I'm sure adults too.) So why do I let them stay up later? Because they are playing with friends, or we are watching movies together as a family, or we are visiting friends/family, or I get busy and because I'm not so worried about us being up early, I don't realize what time it is. But I am going to work hard to be more consistent. It makes for a healthier, happier family.

I love children in general, and my own children specifically. I am generally pretty good with children. So it surprises me at times how many mistakes I make with my own children. But I am trying. I am learning. And I know that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

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Today was not all bad. I was able to visit with my Uncle Dan, Aunt Suzanne, cousins Emily and Melissa and my grandma. We also had a wonderful combined Priesthood and Relief Society Meeting with our Bishop. More about these later.

Cabin

Last weekend, Alfredo took Michelle and Ella to his friend Justin's cabin. (My parents were in town visiting from AZ. Gabby and I stayed here and spent the day with them.) They had such a great time playing with Asher and Oaklie on Friday evening and then spending the day on the lake on Saturday. Alfredo was really proud of Ella because she jumped right off the boat into the lake, and she went on the tube and held on while they pulled her. Ella is often a little reticent to do things she thinks will be scary, but she was brave on this trip. She had such a great time! Asher and Oaklie cried when Alfredo and the girls left Saturday evening to come back home.

Since I wasn't there, I will let the pictures tell the story.

I guess by the time the day was over, Michelle and Ella were worn out! But they had a great time.

Pass of all Passes

We bought the Pass of All Passes this summer. So far it has been great, and we hope and plan to get lots more use out of it. The pass includes entrance to Seven Peaks Salt Lake, Seven Peaks Provo, the Trafalga Fun Centers in Lehi and Orem, as well as quite a few sporting events and free entrance to the Tracy Aviary on Mondays. We have been heading to Seven Peaks once a week. Two of our neighbors also have the pass so we've seen them/gone with them. A couple of weeks ago, we went to the Trafalga Fun Center in Lehi. It was our first time going there. It was busy, but the girls had fun. Michelle was quite disappointed to not be able to ride the go carts. (She could have ridden with me...but there was no way for me to drive and leave the other girls unsupervised.) But aside from that, it was fun.

Gabby didn't really like the boats because you can spray other boats, and she doesn't like getting sprayed. If they had just been boats to steer, she would have loved it. I thought it felt good to get wet, and Michelle and Ella really enjoyed the boats.

Michelle loved the rock climbing as well. Ella wanted to try, but she was wearing flip flops so they wouldn't let her. Michelle said it was just a tiny bit scary when she got to the top...but it must not have been too scary, because when she got down, she immediately climbed right to the top again.

I'm planning to take the girls to Tracy Aviary this next week. Alfredo's main reason for getting the pass is so he can go to some Real Salt Lake games, so we'll definitely do that. I've also promised the girls that we'll head to the Provo Seven Peaks sometime soon. It has been such a fun way to spend the summer. One thing I especially like is that Seven Peaks is only open to pass holders from 9:30-Noon, so it isn't that crowded in the morning. We head there for a couple of hours, and by 12:30 we are ready to go home. We head home or last week we went across the street to the park. They serve free school lunch at the park just across from Seven Peaks so the kids had lunch there and played on the playground. It works out great.

Fun Fourth

Yesterday was a fun fourth of July. We got up early to go to a flag raising ceremony and breakfast at the church for the three wards in our building. I'm so glad we went and were able to see the flag raised, hear the names of the members of each ward that have served or are serving in the military, hear a short talk about the importance of the flag, and sing the Star Spangled Banner. It really started the day off right and helped me reflect on the gratitude I have for our nation and the freedoms we enjoy...as well as the gratitude I have for those who have helped protect that freedom.

Then we went home and got ready to head to Seven Peaks. Since we have the Pass of all Passes, we've been going there weekly. But this was the first time Alfredo has been able to go. It was a lot of fun for all of us. It was busy, even in the morning, but it was fun to have Daddy there to help watch the kids and play with the kids. I'm not sure Gabby has ever enjoyed it as much as she did yesterday, especially the wave pool.
Then we headed to In-n-Out for lunch.

That afternoon we watched a movie together. Then our kind neighbors across the street let us watch them set off fireworks. It was a great day.

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I had great plans to take some photos of my kids dressed in red, white and blue for the fourth. But shortly after we got home from the breakfast, Gabby got a bloody nose...a very bloody nose, and her clothes got blood all over them. And well, with our trip to Seven Peaks, we ended up spending a lot of the day not in our festive clothing. So no photo. Just trust me that they looked cute. :)